Germany: An Afternoon in Cologne
A year ago, I was able to go to Germany for the first time. One of the days we were there, we took a short trip to Cologne. It was just a day trip, but we saw a few nice things while we were there.
Our first stop was the Cologne Cathedral.
The construction of the cathedral began in 1248, and is one of Germany's most visited landmarks. It definitely has a treasure trove of beautiful gothic architecture and religious art and artifacts.
If you can climb a ton of stairs, I would definitely recommend climbing the tower. Not only will you get your exercise for the day, but at the top is a wonderful view of the city. 533 steps to the top, in a tight 2-way stairway, but the view is worth it in the end.
Keep in mind, this is a religious sanctuary and you should be respectful. But do check it out!
The next stop on our little day trip, was the Schokoladen Museum. AKA, The Chocolate Museum!!
You get a free chocolate just for visiting. As you walk through the museum, you get to learn how chocolate is made. Its starts with the plants and ends in the wrapped piece of candy. Everything you ever wanted to know about chocolate.
A fun day for any chocolate lover! And then, to end it, a gift shop full of chocolate. Pro tip: For gifts for family and friends, stop by a local grocery store. You'll find all the chocolates you could ever want and for way less than what you'd pay at a gift shop like this. But still go to the museum, because who doesn't want to learn how chocolates are made! And German chocolates are top notch!
The rest of the day was spent wandering around the city a bit. Checked out a few shops. On the way back we stumbled upon a bridge of locks.
There are a lot of bridges like this around the world. You and your significant other put a lock on the bridge and then throw away the key. Its supposed to represent your love for each other. Eternal love and such. <3 Fun for any lovebirds.
We were only in Cologne for a day, but I enjoyed it a lot. There was a nice variety of things to see. If you are in Germany, I would recommend a stop there!
